BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - Kennard Backman didn't back down after a breakout second half last season for UAB.

The junior tight end, who tied for the team lead with four touchdowns and had 23 catches for 235 yards, worked even harder in the offseason to push his stock up. Backman said he dropped his body fat from 14 percent down to 10 while keeping his weight around 250 pounds on his 6-foot-3 frame.

"Kennard's a weapon offensively," UAB offensive coordinator Richard Owens said. "He's really stepped up and he's starting to grow up as a leader and step out there and stand out for our offense."

Backman said that dropping his body weight helped him out with his flexibility. He also developed a closer relationship with quarterback Austin Brown, who delivered all four touchdown passes to Backman. In the final eight games, Backman caught 19 of his 23 passes and the four touchdowns.

"Kennard's going to have a huge year," Brown said. "He's been extremely dedicated all summer. He's got a great understanding. He's got all the tools to do whatever he wants."

In the days where the tight ends seem to be decreasing more in college, UAB is a team that uses more and more of them. Backman has emerged so much that head coach Garrick McGee feels he can be an NFL Draft pick.

"Kennard Backman, I think, is an NFL player, no doubt," McGee said. "I coached D.J. Williams (at Arkansas) before, and he won the Mackey Award (college football's top tight end). Kennard's a little bit bigger, more physical and stronger."

Backman was an all-state basketball player at Whitefield Academy in Austell, Ga., but chose to play football in college. He actually started eight games as a true freshman, catching six passes.

He's one of the more experienced offensive weapons coming back for UAB and his 23 catches is most among any returning player that isn't a running back.

But to take the next step, Backman knew he had to keep grinding. He said he didn't eat much fast food to begin with, but got rid of that completely and ate more fruits while doing more cardio.

He worked hard on getting in and out of his breaks on routes in the offseason.

"I'm better at reading defense and reading coverages," Backman said. "I believe this season, I'm going to have a great season.

"I believe my size works to my advantage. We can drive the ball and play-action. I believe I'm really versatile. I can line up in the backfield. Because of that, I believe we'll have success as a team."

"I love Coach Henry," Backman said. "On days when I feel like I can't go any more, he pushes me even further and I believe that's why we're going to get better as a tight end group in general."

UAB is looking for more tight ends behind Backman. There isn't much experience, but there are some veterans. Junior Nolen Smith is working with the tight ends and he played a good bit in 2010 and 2011 before redshirting last year because of a knee injury. Fifth-year senior Bud Pruitt has been around, but hasn't played much. He has a chance to be the second tight end in certain formations. Redshirt freshmen Steve Pickren and Grant Davis are also battling. Fullback Santonio Jones is back and he works with the tight ends in drills.